Stuck DVD / replacing a Philips DVD+-RW

zokrez

My Dell system bought in January this year has a PHILIPS DVD+-RW DVD8631 which has had problems day 1 from spinning discs and crunching sounds. I only burned something once. But it has ruined a couple of dvds that I have played with scratches from spinning. Always had on the back of mind to get Dell to replace but never really wanted the hassle (Have on site service) Yesterday though a dvd jumped out of its grooves and I cant get it out. The pc then would not boot up because of it so I opened casing of the Dimension 9150 and took out drive and still haven't had luck in opening the drive.

Would it be just easier and less hassle - cant stand dealing with their online support centres in India - to just go out and buy a replacement burner ?

Anyone got a suggestion for a decent one ?

I am never at home so the hassle of arranging a date and time could outweigh buying a new one. Would any possible warranty be void as I took burner out of casing ?

Thanks

8T8

Zakrze wrote:

Would it be just easier and less hassle - cant stand dealing with their online support centres in India - to just go out and buy a replacement burner ?

Yes.

Zakrze wrote:

Anyone got a suggestion for a decent one ?

Anything from NEC will do the job just fine.

You could dismantle the DVD drive if you want to get the disc out but it doesn't sound like it's worth salvaging. I'm surprised Dell are still shipping the DVD8631 it's quite an older DVDRW drive.

esquier

Did you try sticking a pin in the hole on the front of
the drive to open it mechanically?.

quaidox

like esquier said, there is a small hole in the front of the dvd drive. open out a paper clip and push it in. it releases the door closing mechanism, allowing you to open it manually.
plus it doesn't balls up you player, altho your one sounds like it has been messed up from day one :mad: !

zokrez

yeah tried that but cant get it open. I suppose I could try and open it up but then warranty is gone and it is goosed anyhow but i would like the dvd back.

Which NEC play and records in all formats ?

8T8

Take a look here any of the 5170 line for regular multi-format DVD±R\RW\DL support. Any of the 7173 line if you want to add DVD-RAM support into the mix.

zokrez

Am I right in saying that paying an extra euro for the 7173 line is worth it compared to the 5170. Is there anything the 5170 does that 7173 doesnt. I presume that I can take it out of the box and plug and play ?:o Still waiting for a black 7173 to come into stock.

Ruu_Old

Just make sure the jumper settings at the rear of the drive is the same as the old one was set at and you are set. Master, Slave and Cable select are the options, see below for the picture.

Anti

Yeah no problems at all. As Ruu said just make a note of the jumper selection ( master/slave ) Thats if you have 2 drives. Otherwise it matters not.

8T8

Zakrze wrote:

Am I right in saying that paying an extra euro for the 7173 line is worth it compared to the 5170. Is there anything the 5170 does that 7173 doesnt. I presume that I can take it out of the box and plug and play ?:o Still waiting for a black 7173 to come into stock.

Unless you really want DVD-RAM support which is a niche format anyway then I'd say it's not really worth waiting for get a 5170.

There is no difference between the two bar format support for DVD-RAM.

The black 5170 are now in stock.

SeanW

NEC kicks ass.

gamer

connect it to pc power cable, there is a small round hole,emergency release in front,halfmm in size approx.Stick in a small pin,or metal paperclip, holes prbly on the left side of the dvd drive.the drive ,should release,upon,unless its completely jammed,physically stuck.

gamer

You may need to stick, metal in hole 5 times,hard to open drive,my advice,buy dvd,rw,+,- drive from ,peats ,marx computers ,or pc world.Any problems,hold onto to reciept,try and get QUIET cdrive.My sony 500ua is very noisy,if i use it for cdripping,or to play a music cd.You can get refund ,if you have a problem,if you buy from peats,or other shop.Only costs 60e or less.